Chandler Riggs Thanks Fans, Says Goodbye To 'The Walking Dead'
Chandler Riggs wrote a heartfelt message of thanks for fans ahead of Sunday's episode of The Walking Dead, where viewers bid goodbye to the actor's character, Carl Grimes.
Thankful
Riggs took to social media to bid fans farewell and to share his gratitude for their love and support. On his Instagram page, the actor shared a throwback photo of when he was cast in the AMC series for the role of Carl Grimes at the age of 10.
"This is from around may 2010, when i first took on the role of carl — it was also the first image published announcing me as a part of the cast. Since then, you have given me this incredible opportunity to help tell a story that impacts people in so many ways. You gave me an opportunity to do what i love to do. So thank you, for letting me pursue my dream and continue to make you angry, sad, happy, and everything in between. I won't let you down," Riggs captioned the photo.
A post shared by chandler riggs (@chandlerriggs5) on Feb 25, 2018 at 9:09pm PST
The 18-year old also wrote another thank you message on Twitter, where he thanked the fans for helping him pursue his dream. He also credited the fans for the continued success of The Walking Dead.
my final episode of the walking dead airs tonight. i’ll be on talking dead afterwards to elaborate on how much the cast, the crew, and the show as a whole meant to me. i hope i’ll see you there. — chandler riggs (@chandlerriggs) February 25, 2018
lastly- none of us could have done this without you. it was always for the fans, and it always will be. so thank you for giving me this chance to let me pursue my dream and continue to make you angry, sad, happy, and everything in between. i won’t let you down. — chandler riggs (@chandlerriggs) February 26, 2018
Farewell Messages
The cast has since shared their farewell messages to Riggs following his last appearance on The Walking Dead. Katelyn Nacon, who plays Enid, said goodbye to Riggs in an interview. She called the actor a great friend who has been a great help on and off the set.
"I know the show won't be the same without having someone of my age so easy to relate to, but I know he'll only do great things from here. I wish him only the best," Nacon told U.S. Weekly. Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who portrays the antagonist Negan, shared a lengthy Instagram post where he praised Riggs and wished him good fortune in his future endeavors.
SPOILER (for the six people that are somehow in the dark... and get news from Instagram?) @chandlerriggs5 man.... what a pleasure. Not only getting to work with you... but, getting to know you. You, my friend, are an incredible young man. Well before joining this cast I was a fan... a fan that loved watching you grow up in front of a camera. From the moment you first put on the way too large sheriffs hat as a boy... to the end, the hat so befitting of the man Carl had become. Wiser and more compassionate than all of us. You held all of our hearts. Honestly... a huge reason I wanted so badly to join this band of misfits... was because I was such a fan of the Negan Carl relationship in the comics... that storyline was one of my favorites, as I know it was one of yours. I’ll forever be dissaponted we only scratched the surface of what could have been. BUT... I can take total solace in the fact that you are out there... doing your thing. You’ve grown into an amazing young man as well as a powerful actor... the world is your oyster Riggs. We all get to sit back and watch you kill it. So.. know you are missed on the show... but know you have a big ole group of family all here for you if needed... and eagerly awaiting whatever comes next. Love you Riggs. See you soon. A post shared by Jeffrey Dean Morgan (@jeffreydeanmorgan) on Feb 25, 2018 at 9:09pm PST
Andrew Lincoln, who plays Rick Grimes, wrote a song ("Chandler Ooh La La") as his farewell message for the young actor. He also called Riggs a remarkable and extraordinary young man.
Riggs' exit from The Walking Dead took fans and the cast by surprise because they did not see it coming. After all, Carl's death does not fit with the original source material. Riggs himself did not see his character's death coming, so Sunday's episode was the most-dreaded moment for everyone. It was heart-wrenching to see Carl say goodbye to everyone and see Rick bury his only son.
